How "Adjustable" toilet flappers work

This article will address both how adjustable flappers work and instructions for adjusting an adjustable flapper.

How Adjustable Flappers Work

Traditional flappers use air to hold the flappers open, adjustable flappers don’t allow the flapper to trap or hold air inside their cone/bulb.

Adjustable flappers are designed to flush toilets that use a flush volume of 1.28 and 1.6 gallon per flush (GPF)

Adjustable flappers should not be used on toilets made before 1994.

Adjustable flappers may use a float to delay the flapper from closing right away.

Adjustable flappers may use a dial in place of a float. The dial sets a secondary hole in the flapper cone to release air and force the flapper to close.

Instructions for Adjusting an Adjustable Flapper

Fluidmaster flappers can be adjusted by:

Turning the flapper cone from a minimum to maximum setting, so you are moving the secondary hole away from the top of the tank which traps the air in the flapper cone for a longer period of time.

Moving a float (a float is placed on the flapper chain) up the chain, so you are setting the flapper to close faster. By lowering the float on the chain you are causing the flapper to stay open longer.

Pulling slightly on the cone and turning the cone from a minimum to maximum setting, so you are closing the cone window and causing the flapper to stay open longer.